Work and Energy Vocab Flashcards
Work
The product of the magnitude of a force (or a parallel component of a force) and the parallel distance through which the object moves while the force is applied.
Joule
A unit of energy equivalent to 1 N x m or 1 kg x m2/s2.
Foot-pound
The unit of work (and energy) in the British system
Energy
The ability to do work
Potential Energy
The energy an object has because of its position or location; the energy of position.
Kinetic Energy
Energy possessed by an object in motion, equal to ½ mv2.
Gravitational Potential Energy
The potential energy resulting from an object’s position in a gravitational field - in other words, the stored energy that comes from doing work against gravity
Conservation of Total Energy
The total energy of an isolated system remains constant or is conserved
Conservation of Mechanical Energy
In an ideal system, the sum of the kinetic and potential energies is constant or conserved: E(kinetic) + E(potential) = E(a constant).
Power
The time rate of doing work
Watt
A unit of power equivalent to 1 kg x m2/s3 , or 1 J/s.
Horsepower
A unit of power equal to 550 ft x lb/s; commonly used to rate power of motors and engines
Kilowatt
A unit of energy (power x time): P = E/t, and E = Pt.
Alternative Energy Source
Energy sources that are not based on the burning of fossil fuels and nuclear processes.
Renewable Energy Source
Energy sources from natural processes that are constantly replenished, such as wind and hydro power.
